Should PB County put up money to lure the Dolphins?

A Dolphis fan watches a game last year at Sun Life Stadium. (Allen Eyestone/The Palm Beach Post)

Dolphins officials are angry that House Speaker Will Weatherford killed off a bill that would have paid part of $400 million in renovations to the football team’s stadium.

About $200 million would have come from an increase in the Miami-Dade County tourist tax, with another $90 million from tax breaks.

The Senate passed the proposal, but Rep. Weatherford refused to let it come up for a vote in the House. The move likely ends the region’s bid to host the 50th Super Bowl in 2016.

Of course, the Dolphins responded by muttering about moving the team.

When asked about the possibility of moving to Palm Beach County, CEO Mike Dee said, “We’re open minded to all long-term solutions.” Later he added, on the topic of moving the team: “You can’t close the door on anything. I wouldn’t say it’s a priority to evaluate that and march down that road at this time, by any means, but the simple fact is we have to address a long-term issue with the venue. All ideas – good, bad, indifferent – should be considered.”

Palm Beach County tourism officials in the past have gushed that the county benefits whenever the Super Bowl comes to Miami-Dade. And football franchises can have a positive economic impact. Palm Beach County hosts two minor league baseball teams and Spring Training for two Major League teams.

But luring the Dolphins would require a huge commitment of public money for a stadium. Some would see this as Palm Beach County moving up to the big leagues. Others would warn that the county only would be a chump that the Dolphins could use to pry more money out of Miami-Dade.

What do you think? Should Palm Beach County put up money to lure the Dolphins? Take our poll and/or leave a comment.